Finn Church Aid recognised as one of leading actors in Education in Emergencies in the world

Finn Church Aid (FCA) has been selected to be member of the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Steering Group. Executive Director Jouni Hemberg is representing FCA in the board beginning from April 2017.

Education in emergency settings matters today more than ever. For instance natural disasters, the Syrian war and continuous crises in the Central African Republic and South Sudan have forced people to leave their homes, and schools have been closed or destroyed. As a result, millions of children and youth in conflict affected areas are out of school.

Right to Quality Education

Finn Church Aid (FCA) improves quality learning in Education in Emergencies building on the knowhow of Finland’s highly trained teachers, strategic partnerships and ICT for development.

Through Education in Emergencies, FCA provides access to learner-friendly and safe learning environments, and to quality learning opportunities for children, adolescent and youth.

FCA promotes practical ways of ensuring the accessibility and quality of vocational education.

FCA works in the field of education in emergencies in 9 countries as well as on a global level through e.g. INEE and the Education Cluster.

“In a crisis situation, getting schools up and running as fast as possible has remarkable significance for the safety and recovery of children and youth. Schools and the psychosocial support provided in schools can considerably help children and youth to restore a sense of normality, dignity and hope”, says Jouni Hemberg.

“FCA specialises in working with youth. There are many organisations focusing on children, but not as many focus on youth in particular. There’s also a rapidly growing need for vocational education. These are areas that FCA can bring added value to in the Steering Group and the work of INEE”, says Hemberg.

The Steering Group of INEE is comprised of UN agencies (UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF) as permanent members, as well as international non-governmental organisations and donor agencies that serve in four year periods. Steering Group members commit to promoting and advocating increased support for education in emergencies and recovery. They also play a role in seeking funding for INEE.

“The membership of INEE gives FCA an opportunity to influence the development of education from a global perspective”, Hemberg adds.

FCA has been a member of INEE’s Standards and Practice Working Group since 2015 and the network’s Advocacy Working Group since 2016. It has participated in developing practical tools and guidance to organisations that respond to education in emergencies.

A remarkable development work is currently taking place in developing guidance for integrating psychosocial support into education responses in crisis situations. This process will be finalised by the end of May.

“Currently, there‘s very little guidance on psychosocial support in the education sector. Yet, the teacher’s role is essential in improving the well-being of students and building resilience. In a crisis situation teachers themselves are also affected and need support to be able to improve the well-being of children and youth”, says Minna Peltola, Senior Adviser on Education at FCA.

INEE is a network of more than 12,000 individual members and 130 partner organisations in 170 countries. INEE serves its members through community building, advocating, and providing members with the resources and support they need to carry out their work on Education in Emergencies.